Al Salem Johnson Controls (York), a pioneer in the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry, has also become the frontrunner for bringing power-saving technology based on magnetic levitation into Saudi Arabia.

York introduced the York Magnetic Bearing Chiller (YMC2), featuring magnetic bearing chiller technology into the kingdom in Q2 this year and is confident the new mechanism can greatly reduce the energy lost in overcoming friction in the revolving parts of a chiller.

Previously and for a long time HVAC manufacturers relied on the traditional ball-bearing mechanism to reduce contention, but it never completely eliminated it, according to a company spokesman.

Magnetic levitation, he said, is a method by which an object is suspended with no support other than magnetic fields, thus eliminating friction altogether.

Such a technology could prove very beneficial in a country like Saudi Arabia, where a colossal 70 per cent of power is consumed through HVAC, he added.

The magnetic bearings allow the compressor to operate without the use of oil for lubrication, which reduces energy losses due to friction, and increases the heat transfer efficiency of the chiller, as no oil enters the evaporator or the condenser. A variable speed drive on the motor allows the compressor to operate much more efficiently at partial loads than standard compressors. The oil-free system also eliminates the need for oil maintenance, resulting in operations and maintenance cost savings.  

Some of these benefits include low start-up current draw which can reduce peak power requirements for a back-up generator, or reduced wear and maintenance costs due to no oil use. This guarantees a timely return on investment, the spokesman added.

This new technology also boasts quiet operation. On a scale, where the noise generated by an average truck would measure at 95 dBA or the regular household blender would score a 90 dBA, the YMC² chiller scored an amazing 73 dBA, he remarked.

Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has been providing cooling and heating solutions to Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious projects for more than 25 years.